Latest information

Every tournament

August 21 2013

11:30 AM

Jason Dufner is making his first start since winning the PGA Championship two weeks ago.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Winning a major can be a life-changing experience.

But in the early morning hours after capturing the PGA Championship, Jason Dufner was already back home in Auburn, Ala., where he and about 25 of his closest friends and associates celebrated at a local restaurant into the early morning hours.

The group was hungry and the kitchen was closed, so one of Dufner's friends hopped in the car, went to a nearby Taco Bell and filled up the Wanamaker Trophy with food.

"I still took the trash out on Tuesday morning," Dufner added. "And we actually got a new puppy; so I was up at 3 in the morning every night taking him out to the bathroom and still going to my favorite breakfast spot in town."

In other words, not much has changed for Dufner, including his own expectations as he enters the FedExCup Playoffs this week at The Barclays. His next goal: Advance to next month's TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola for the third straight year.

"I don't put too much pressure on myself," Dufner said. "Just try to do the same thing as I've been doing the last couple years."

Given his progression since he started working with Chuck Cook in 2008, that's not a bad idea. Over the last two years, Dufner has 14 top 10s, including three wins.

The Playoffs have been somewhat of a different story, however, with Dufner owning just one top 10 in that period and only two for his career.

"I know that winning a major can make your year, but I'm focused on trying to get back to Atlanta," said Dufner, who added he finally got his first full night of sleep on Tuesday night and spent Thursday through Saturday of last week back on the golf course for the first time since winning at Oak Hill. "I think winning (a major) ‑‑ it's made me a little hungrier to be competitive and win more events, more majors, be part of the Ryder Cup Team, part of the Presidents Cup team.

"I'm pretty good at thinking ahead and moving forward. I had a little bit of relaxation there for a week, but my mind is getting ready to try and compete this week."